"M-Mr. Jasper … I'm out!" Xavier huffed. The hotel was a tall building with a dozen flights of stairs. By the time Xavier reached the 38th floor, he was huffing and puffing. His legs went weak. He almost keeled over. "Be a man. We have two floors to go. Hurry," Jasper urged emotionlessly as he continued to climb the stairs.He was 30 this year, only two years older than Xavier. He had been in the Peacekeeping Forces during his younger days. After retiring from the forces, he regularly worked out and practiced boxing. Thus, his stamina and tolerance were above average.He knew he could still do it even if he had to climb another 20 floors. After all, the night run in the forces was always more than 30 rounds on the field.Once they reached the 40th floor, Xavier sat on the stairs to catch his breath. Jasper shook his head at Xavier. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Jasper," said a man who approached Jasper with a professional smile. His eyes made him look young. It was hard to guess
Alyssa burst into laughter. Mia had no choice but to laugh too. Jasper frowned. "I'll take that, but there's no need to feel shy. I can make more of this painting. You can have it." Alyssa's words carried hints of mockery. Upon hearing that, Jasper's expression went stiff as he balled his fists."You went through so much to meet me. I bet it's not for some paintings. Let's cut to the chase." She didn't have time to beat around the bush with him."Honestly, I'm here for the issue regarding Gardner Group. I hope you can stop oppressing them. There's room for negotiations." Jasper's tone was low, but his gaze was formidable. "After all, it will only do you good in Solana City if you work with us.""Do you call this an oppression, Mr. Jasper?" Alyssa was at a loss for words."I think it is an action of justice to reveal the underhanded sellers. It will be a wake-up call to our peers so that no one will repeat the mistakes that we did. They won't purchase products of bad quality and
Alyssa returned to her office.Mia approached her with wobbly legs. "I-I was so scared! Mr. Jasper is so good-looking! And there's this powerful presence about him! My cheeks were burning the moment I met him. D-Did I do well, Ms. Alyssa?""You did great." Alyssa handed her an envelope. "Take it. You've earned it.""T-Thank you, Ms. Alyssa!" Mia took the envelope and was surprised by its thickness.Just then, Sean handed her a document. It was a confidentiality agreement."I know you're trustworthy, but I think it's better to have an agreement for both parties' sake." Alyssa smiled faintly.She continued, "Everything that happened today must remain between us. Unless I reveal it myself, sharing this conversation with a third party would be a breach of the agreement. I will get to the bottom of it."Feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, Mia nodded and signed the papers. She promised to keep it a secret before leaving the office."The rumor has it that Jasper is a
The truth was, Jasper not only failed to experience true love, but he also felt increasingly helpless in this relationship.A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Jasper responded, and Xavier entered the office with a document."I've looked into it, Mr. Jasper. KS World Hotel returned Elysian Home's products and terminated all collaborations with Gardner Group nine days ago. Taylor Group hadn't exposed the quality issue to the media at that time. It was more of the public's assumptions."Jasper knew the series of events that took place after that. Next, Liana announced their wedding and hired ghostwriters to attack Alice. Only then did Taylor Group expose Gardner Group for their quality issue, leading to the current crisis. Gritting his teeth, Jasper took an aspirin to alleviate the headache. His hands were shaking. "I heard there was a vice general manager named Michael at KS World Hotel. He received a huge sum from Gardner Group before Ms. Alyssa was appointed. She fo
Jasper returned to Seaview Manor, completely drenched. Rosie hurried over with a cloth, but he waved her away. He headed upstairs with a long face."W-What's wrong with him? Did someone offend him?" Rosie asked in concern. "You should comfort him later. He had been deceived," responded Xavier."Huh? He's sharp and smart, though. He had been deceived? Have you reported to the police? We have to call the cops." Rosie was surprised.Xavier shook his head. "It's … It's complicated. The police can't do anything about it. Fortunately, justice prevailed over evil.""I told him to download an anti-scammer app long ago. He just wouldn't listen. Look at him now. He's a victim."Xavier smiled bitterly at the thought of Jasper having finally met his match. It wouldn't have been this serious if it was money-related, but the liar made use of Jasper's pride!… A pale-faced Jasper headed upstairs. He appeared lifeless."Mr. Jasper, Ms. Gardner is here. Mr. Javier is asking for you. He's
"I told Ms. Gardner not to touch the box on the headboard because it's important to you." Rosie looked at the angry Liana ambiguously.Rosie intentionally mentioned how much Jasper cared about Alice's gift to provoke Liana into revealing the truth."I threw it away," Liana confessed angrily, just as Rosie had anticipated.Fury filled Jasper's eyes as he asked, "Where is it?" "Jasper, why do you care about a gift from Alice? You're divorced. I'm your fiancée. Have you considered my feelings when you cherish her gifts?" Her eyes became teary. Her acting was so natural, thanks to Sophia's teaching."I'm asking you. Where is it?" Jasper's tone turned cold, and he ignored her tears. Shocked, she forgot to keep up her act and stammered, "I-It's in the trash bin in the backyard …"Jasper ran to the backyard. He was drenched in the rain instantly. He rolled up his sleeves and searched through the trash bin for the box."Jasper! Stop! Look how filthy it is!" Liana yelled from the corr
Liana walked away, sobbing.The maids were gushing about her hysterics. Her visits never failed to end up with antics and her leaving the place with tears. They wondered if she deemed Seaview Manor as her personal playhouse.Jasper sat still on the couch. He stared at the jumble of cloth for a long time."Mr. Jasper, it's getting late. Here's some milk. You need to get some sleep." Rosie handed him a glass of warm milk. A heavy sigh escaped Rosie's lips as she gazed upon the ruined suit. "What a shame." Her words meant something deeper."The next time Lia stops by, keep an eye on her. Stop her from entering my room and study. Oh, and Alice's room too," Jasper instructed in a low voice."Don't worry. Your wish is my command. I will watch her every move," Rosie promised confidently.She then added, "Luckily, I locked Madam Alice's room. Otherwise, Ms. Gardner might have sneaked in and caused a mess.""Don't put it that way, Mrs. Rosie. Lia isn't that bad of a person. After all,
Gardner Group was on the verge of collapse. Not only did they fall from grace, but more than ten of Elysian Home's physical stores in Solana City were now deserted.Worst still, Jasper had decided not to help them out. If they did not come up with a solution soon, they would be done once the funding from Beckett Group ran out.Meanwhile, Taylor Group won the public's favor upon exposing the Gardners' true colors. After a long period of flying under the radar, KS World Hotel was finally gaining some attention."I've been doing as you asked. I've been keeping an eye on Michael ever since you fired him. As you'd expected, he has been in personal contact with Dylan. It happened not only once," reported Sean.Sean held Alyssa's hand as he manicured her nails. He exclaimed, "Everything is unfolding just as you predicted. You totally hit the bullseye. You know what he was thinking.""He embezzled the hotel's funding and conspired with Dylan behind our backs. I guess they have a deep bo
The once lively and fashion-loving Julien now seemed like a star that had lost its light. The radiance that once defined him had vanished. Julien walked past Jonah without stopping. The short distance between them gave Jonah a painfully clear view of the cross-shaped scar on Julien's cheek. His heart wrenched, the pain so intense that his vision blurred. He staggered. "Jonah, are you alright?" Fortunately, Landon was beside him and caught him just in time. Staring at Julien's slim figure, Jonah parted his dry lips, but no words came out.Bitterness filled the back of his throat, and his longing for Julien sent sharp, stabbing pains through his body.Julien stopped beside Jasper, offering him a small smile and a nod as a greeting.Then, his gaze turned fierce as he locked eyes with Justin's hypocritical expression."My name is Julien Lovelace. I was once Mr. Jasper's primary physician. Approximately six months ago, Mr. Jasper made a deal with Jameson to rescue Ms. Alyssa w
Alyssa stood at the doorway, her slim figure framed against the light, yet she seemed to tower over the room. Her presence commanded attention, filling the hall with an air of reverence and grandeur. From across the room, Jasper's dark eyes burned with intensity. To him, Alyssa was like a golden phoenix, its wings unfurling as it soared, radiating brilliance over everything in its wake. "Lyse!"Jonah and Landon stared in shock. They hadn't expected Alyssa to show up at the press conference. Camera flashes erupted once more."It's Ms. Alyssa Taylor!""We should address her properly now—she's the head of KS Group!" "Wait… Is she here to support Jasper? I thought they broke up?""What do you even know? They used to be in love!" Justin narrowed his eyes at Alyssa's frigid, determined expression. Slowly, his lips curled into a chilling, sinister smile.Alyssa met his gaze, suppressing the hatred surging within her. Then, with an air of composure, she turned to the crowd. "W
"That's rubbish. I never asked you to do anything like that!" Sheryl's bloodshot eyes burned with fury. She clenched her fists, longing to silence Sebastian."I didn't expect you to admit it," Sebastian said coldly. He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out his phone. After scrolling briefly, he held it up for all to see. "You were wary of me recording our conversations, but you never suspected I'd install a hidden camera in my office. This footage clearly shows you bribing and threatening me. With this evidence, denial is futile!"The crowd turned to Sheryl, their gazes heavy with shock and suspicion. When their eyes shifted to Justin, doubt lingered in the air.Sheryl's heart sank, her face draining of color.As cautious as she was, she had miscalculated. But it didn't matter. She had carried out the task herself, avoiding any direct mention of Justin's orders. Justin could still be saved.It was Sheryl who had fallen short in her responsibilities, and she was ready to tak
Jasper's eyes blazed with fury as he locked his gaze on Justin, a sharp, determined gleam in his dark eyes. "I will clear my name and restore my reputation, no matter the cost!" he declared, his voice ringing with resolve.The tension between Justin, standing on stage, and Jasper, positioned below, was palpable—like a killer whale facing off with a great white shark. The outcome was still uncertain."I, Landon Harper, swear on my name and the entirety of Harper Group that Jasper never did drugs. The whole situation was a setup!" Landon's voice resounded throughout the entire hall. The reporters buzzed with questions. "Who would do such a thing?"Landon refrained from directly naming Justin, aware that exposing the wolf in sheep's clothing would not be easy. Accusing him too hastily might provide Justin with an opportunity to counterattack, exploiting any gaps in their case.Landon had no fear of tarnishing his own reputation, but he was deeply concerned about the damage it m
Everyone turned to look behind them.Justin's icy gaze locked onto the doors, his expression dark and foreboding. The light pouring in from outside was blinding, piercing through the shadows like a blade. As the crowd squinted against the glare, two figures emerged, standing tall and resolute side by side.It was Jasper and Landon. Clad in a sleek black suit, Landon bore traces of dust but appeared otherwise unscathed. Jasper, however, was a stark contrast. His clothes were torn and bloodied, his appearance disheveled, but his demeanor was anything but defeated. Standing straight and proud, his frigid stare was enough to make the crowd shrink back, unwilling to meet his eyes."Mr. Justin," Landon began, his voice sharp and cutting, "you've gone to great lengths to keep Jasper from this press conference."Ever the rebel with the air of a street-hardened fighter, Landon didn't mince words. "To stop him, you sent assassins to ambush him. You had your people block his way in the
Meanwhile, the light above one of Taylor General Hospital's emergency surgery theaters flickered off. Moments later, the door swung open, and a doctor emerged, pulling down his surgical mask. Mandy hurried toward the doctor, her eyes brimming with worry. "How is that poor man doing?" "Mrs. Taylor, it's fortunate you brought him in when you did. Ten minutes later, and we might not have been able to save him. He went into shock from excessive blood loss, but he's stable now. I gave him a transfusion and sutured his wounds. He'll need rest and proper nutrition to recover fully."Relief washed over Mandy, and her tense body slackened. Her knees nearly buckled as she murmured, "Thank God… Thank God!" Once the doctor departed, Mandy instructed her driver to purchase the best blood-replenishing supplements available, sparing no expense.The driver had only been employed by the Taylor family for the past two years, so he was unaware of the true reasons behind Mandy's actions. To him, h
Soon enough, Jasper and Jonah found themselves surrounded by a horde of fighters. The atmosphere was charged with a vicious, merciless tension that heightened their awareness. They were now in the underground parking lot of Berenike Hotel.This was one of the Beckett family's properties, with Newton overseeing the construction personally.Berenike Hotel had always been the leader among all the five-star hotels in Solana City. Yet, on this day, when a critical press conference was about to begin, Justin chose to start a massacre in the hotel's parking lot, disregarding the potential damage to the hotel's reputation. His actions were utterly insane and perverse. "Shall we each take down ten of them?" Jonah nudged Jasper with his elbow. Narrowing his eyes, he added, "The press conference starts in ten minutes. Think you can wrap this up by then?"A cold, fierce glint flashed in Jasper's usually dull eyes. "I'll take down 15 and leave five for you." "Why only five for me?"Jasp
The golden iris stood as a symbol of triumph."Ms. Alyssa, we're on track. We'll make it to the press conference on time!" Sean declared, stepping on the accelerator with a fiery look in his eyes. "Safety first," Alyssa reminded him in a calm, steady voice. Surprisingly, at this crucial juncture, she appeared composed. "Taty is due soon, and you're about to become a father. As a family man, you shouldn't be as reckless as before." The thought of his unborn son brought a blissful smile to Sean's face, softening his fiery resolve.Alyssa closed her eyes, though her mind remained in overdrive. The truth was, she was forcing herself to stay alert. Ever since Amber's disappearance, she hadn't had a single restful night. The once carefree Alyssa, who could sleep through anything, was long gone. Her frayed nerves left her in a weakened state, but she held on.She had survived when others hadn't, and that resilience fueled her belief that she could endure again. This time, she wou
In an instant, the woman burst into tears. Remy, in an alarmed state, scanned the area outside the car. Satisfied that he was momentarily safe, he loosened his grip on the woman, only to discover his palms were damp. The woman's face was drenched in tears. As he stared into her misty eyes, recognition dawned on him—she was the woman who had chased him at the hospital, frantically calling him "Damien". This could only mean she was Damien Taylor's mother. Remy straightened abruptly, putting distance between himself and Mandy. A surge of emotion tightened his chest, leaving him shaken. Silence blanketed the car. Despite her usual composure, Mandy was overwhelmed. Her tears were unstoppable as she gazed at him. Nothing else seemed to matter. At that moment, Mandy's driver opened the car door and climbed in, saying, "Mrs. Taylor, here are the desserts you ordered for Mr. Taylor—"Remy's reddened eyes darkened. His muscles tensed as he reached for the door handle, ready to l